Tree Cutter Injured When Boom Falls on Home, Garage

Spotswood, New Jersey

A worker for Central Jersey Tree Experts was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick on Monday after he was thrown from a crane being used to cut down a tree on a South Street resident’s property.

Mayor Nicholas Poliseno said the crane operator, believed to be in his mid-30s, suffered facial and hand injuries.

The falling crane damage a home and garage at two separate John Street addresses, Poliseno said. He said the boom of the crane was extended 75 feet.

At about 12:30 p.m., emergency personnel were called to the neighborhood at South Street and John Street for a report of a crane in the house.

Poliseno said the homeowner at 42 South St. had contacted the tree company to arrange to have tree cut down. Because of the tree’s location, the company needed access to the tree from the homeowner at 65 John St. Poliseno said the homeowner at 65 John St. allowed the company to park the truck on the driveway to get to the tree.

As a heavy limb was being cut down, the crane toppled and landed on 67 John St., the mayor said. The crane caused damage to the roof of the home at 67 John St.

“The homeowner of 67 John St. was inside the house when it happened,” Poliseno said, adding that witnesses reported “everything shook.”

An elderly woman living in the home suffered a type of panic attack and was given oxygen by emergency medical service workers at the scene, the mayor said.

Poliseno said the borough’s building officials will check the home to ensure it is safe for the resident to return home.

The front of the crane also went through the garage of the home at 65 John St., Poliseno said. The garage was used to store the lawnmower and other tools.

Poliseno said the garage suffered a lot of damage and might not be safe for continued use.

Logan’s Towing of North Brunswick was called to remove the boom from the house.

George Logan III of Logan’s Towing said the boom was fully extended. He said two large tow trucks were sent to pick up the boom.

Poliseno said building officials were scheduled to check the damaged structures as soon as the truck was turned over and moved